Kibodo Trust

Kibodo Trust is a community conservation and development trust that encompasses three National Reserves of Kenya, the Kiunga Marine National Reserve, which is bordered inland by the Boni and Dodori National Reserves on Kenya’s north east coast (and hence the name Kibodo!). They contain some of Kenya’s pristine and least documented coastal forest habitats and species, and least understood communities whose livelihoods are solely dependent upon their natural resources.

Kiunga Marine National Reserve (KMNR)

Covering 250km² this area was designated in 1979 and represents 4.3% of Kenya’s coastline. The interconnected open ocean, patch reef, sea grass and mangrove ecosystem is crucial to a variety of marine species at different stages in their migration and maturity. The beaches are an extremely important breeding ground for turtles, which return to their birthing grounds 30 - 50 years later to lay their eggs. Some of the fifty-five islands in the KMNR represent one of a few breeding sites for over 10,000 breeding pairs of the Roseate Tern.

Dodori and Boni National Reserves (DNR and BNR)

Designated in 1976 the two reserves cover over 1,800km² (970km² and 877km² respectively). Large herds of elephant used to roam through the two reserves; now there is a remnant known population of 300 that find refuge in the Boni and Dodori forests. Little is known about their current migratory routes, however funding has been secured through Save the Elephants to collar two elephant in the region allowing the trust to map their movements.

The Trust

Kibodo has been formed as a collaborative partnership to conserve the unique terrestrial, coastal and marine resources, enhance the livelihoods of the communities that live there and improve security within the area to enable this conservation and development to succeed. Twelve community trustees have been elected onto the Kibodo board representing each tribe and user group of the region. Funding from Tusk has allowed 30 game scouts to be recruited and trained by KWS; a full communications system installed; and a community development officer is working with the Boni and Bajuni to identify key projects/needs of the community.

The project office is based in Kiunga town, pictured here, with the Project Manager Ali Mbwarali, Hamid Morowa and Twaha.

Tusk Support

Tusk has supported Kibodo since its inception, providing funding to cover the training, equipping and operational support of the forty plus game guards now operating across the reserves. Tusk’s support has been instrumental in helping Kibodo attract large institutional donors such as USAID, which is providing considerable support to the Trust and is behind the groundbreaking SECURE programme.

In addition, the Trust through the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation funded the recruitment and training of the community game scouts and provided a vehicle with generous support from the Dulverton Trust.